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Reader comment on:
Remember Ripken, Not the Myth of Ripken
in response to reader comment: Remember Ripken, not always a team player

Submitted by O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D, Jul 29, 2007 03:20

Take away Ripken's streak and you have someone who achieved his raw career totals based on longevity. 3001 games produced 3184 hits, 600+ doubles, 431 homers and 1695 rbi. Good numbers at first glance but hardly mythical, ecspecially when you look deeper into the facts. He was certainly an anomaly.

Ripken led the AL in hits in 1983 with 211. He also had 195 in 1984, 181 in 1985 and 210 in 1991. These are the only seasons in which he totaled more than 180 hits--remarkable when you consider the fact that he had 600+ at bats in a season 13 times. Doing some research led me to find that Cal also finished in the top 10 fo OUTS made for 14 seasons.

Although Cal finished his career with 1695 rbi and 1647 runs respectively, the numbers broken down over 21 seasons display averages of 78 (runs) & 81 (rbi) per season, which is fairly respectable. However, when you factor in that Cal batted in the 3 thru 5 spot in the line up for 83% of his career, those numbers

His .276 batting average is the lowest among members of the 3000 hit club. His OBP of .340, Slugging Avg (.447) and OPS (787) are very pedestrian when compared to other Hall of Fame power hitters. According to Bill James Abstract, Ripken's averages puts him near the bottom of all HOF players (non pitchers).

He was an above average player for a long time, but a HOF'er? I think not.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

I start by saying Cal Ripken was a very good player. I do not think that he was a great... [MORE]

Bray

Jul 29, 2007 16:18

I'm glad Cal's going into the HOF because it means there won't be anymore slavish, syrupy lovefests in this honor.... [MORE]

BC

Jul 28, 2007 17:41

First of all, atleast give Bill Simmons credit if you are going to rip off his article. Secondly, over 3000... [MORE]

mike

Jul 30, 2007 12:00

Tim, Yearlong suspensions of Hernandez and Parker? I'm young and don't really remember much about baseball in the mid-80s, but Hernandez... [MORE]

Brad Golder

Jul 27, 2007 23:49

They were yearlong suspensions, but suspended if the players gave 10% of their salaries to drug-prevention agencies. This was in... [MORE]

A.R.

Jul 29, 2007 13:56

From what I understand steroids help with recovery-- perhaps the type of recovery that is nessessary in order to play... [MORE]

ben k

Jul 27, 2007 11:39

This is what I remember most,well after the record, Cal Ripken had set. It was his own greed in continuing... [MORE]

Larry Krasner

Jul 26, 2007 11:11

Ripken was a very good player. Ripken was a well-liked player. A-Rod has not been a particularly well-liked player. But to claim... [MORE]

JW

Jul 26, 2007 12:42

Cal may or may not have played at times when he shouldn't have been playing. But Cal did not play... [MORE]

Greg McLucas

Jul 26, 2007 21:21

Not sure what A-Rod had to do with Cal in this article, since the author wasn't talking about him. But I... [MORE]

MS

Jul 27, 2007 13:34

I have to agree with JW regarding Ripkin vs. A-Rod. Ripkin's best OPS+ was 162; his next best 144. A-Rod's... [MORE]

denopac

Jul 27, 2007 15:22

Ripken not a truly great player? He is Top 20 all-time in Hits, 2B, RBI, and games played. He is... [MORE]

Chris Charles

Jul 28, 2007 17:01

Take away Ripken's streak and you have someone who achieved his raw career totals based on longevity. 3001 games produced...

O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D

Jul 29, 2007 03:20

I should have anticipated that and pointed out - as the next comment does - that the only numbers he... [MORE]

JW

Jul 29, 2007 09:09

How many average players last 21 years in the majors? [MORE]

swk

Jul 29, 2007 11:55

"Not sure what A-Rod had to do with Cal in this article, since the author wasn't talking about him." RTFA. [MORE]

JW

Jul 29, 2007 16:04

Why should he be compared to "hall of fame power hitters"? Cal was a SS, and most of those guys... [MORE]

ladweller

Jul 31, 2007 17:12

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